President Obama Speaks on Typhoon Haiyan

President Obama says that our prayers are with the Filipino people, and with Filipino-Americans across our country who are anxious for their family and friends back home, and pledges that the United States will continue to offer whatever assistance we can. For more information on how to help, visit WhiteHouse.gov/typhoon.

To learn how USAID is responding to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, visit www.usaid.gov/haiyan

Video Transcript

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Good morning, everybody -- or good afternoon. Today I want to update the American people on our efforts to implement and improve the Affordable Care Act. And I'll take a couple of your questions.
But before I do, I just want to say a few words about the tragedy that's unfolded in Philippines. Over the past few days, I think all of us have been shaken by the images of the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan. It's a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life is. And among the dead are several Americans. So our prayers are will the Filipino people and with Filipino-Americans across our country who are anxious about their family and friends back home.
You know, one of our core principles is when friends are in trouble, America helps. As I told President Aquino earlier this week, the United States will continue to offer whatever assistance we can. Our military personnel and USAID team do this better than anybody in the world. And they've been already on the ground working tirelessly to deliver food, water, medicine, shelter and to help with airlift.
Today, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. George Washington and other ships arrived to help with search and rescue, as well as supplies, medical care and logistical support.
And more help is on the way. America's strength, of course has always been more than just about what our government can do; it's also about what our citizens can do. It's about the bigheartedness of the American people when they see other folks in trouble.
So today, I would encourage everybody who wants to help to visit WhiteHouse.gov/typhoon. That's WhiteHouse.gov/typhoon, and that'll offer you links to organizations that are working on the ground in ways that you can support their efforts. Our friends in the Philippines will face a long, hard road ahead, but they'll continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.